Rufiji River Camp

Rooms

Eleven of the 14 tents are spread out along the riverbank on a platform, with the communal lounge, bar and eating area in the middle. Contemporary in decor, they have wooden floors, thatched roofs, walled ensuite bathrooms and voile netting draped over beds. The kitsch fern-print cushions are a great touch, as are the lamps made from tree trunks and there are shelves to store your kit. Electricity is provided by a solar powered generator, and is only switched on in the evenings. This means that showers are warm (rather than hot), and we found water pressure to be an issue. All tents can be set up as singles, doubles or triples.

Outside, each tent has a private veranda with a mikuti thatch roof, table and chairs; guests can sit here and watch the animals in the Rufiji below. At dusk, a lantern is placed on the table to help light the tents; this is removed once guests are asleep.

There are also 3 Family Tents, each made up of 2 adjoining tents on a private platform, and sleeping 4-6 people. They're more luxurious than the basic tents, and have a snazzy bathroom and a private plunge pool with loungers on their terrace. Perfect for families, friends or those wanting a little more privacy and space, we feel these tents offer the best value.

For the ultimate back-to-nature experience, go fly camping for a night. The temporary camp is a 45-minute drive away on the shore of Lake Mzizimia, and consists of 20 simple tents. Each has fold-up cot beds with mattresses, and a table and safari chairs outside. The bathroom is shared between the group - 2 toilets and 1 shower - and soap and towels are provided. Meals are cooked on an open fire then served in a lakeside gazebo, and an armed ranger is on-hand at all times.

Features include:

• Fan
• Mosquito net
• Safe box

Eating

Expect good simple fare, although there's not a huge variety. Breakfast is a buffet consisting of hot cinnamon rolls, eggs and toast, served with coffee or tea, and juices.

Lunch is a buffet or a simple packed lunch of sandwiches, fruit and cakes if you're going out on a full day drive.

Dinners are a 3-course affair - often taken out on the terrace under the stars weather permitting. Starters are served at your table, think tempura vegetables or an onion soup with warm bread rolls. The main coursed is a buffet of various meats, pastas, curries and vegetarian dishes. Dessert was a sponge cake with chocolate sauce, a little bit bland, but we were told it’s hard to get a lot of ingredients so far out in the bush. If you're lucky, the Masai may entertain you while you eat, with singing and dancing. Private dinners along the riverbank can also be arranged, just ask.

Features include:

• All meals included
• Bar
• Communal dining
• Kids' meals

Activities

• Head out on game drives in one of the lodge 4x4s: wildlife viewing simply comes no better. Rates include 2 drives a day: one in the morning (either before or after breakfast), and one in the late afternoon (around 4pm). Alternatively you can request full day drives. All guides are local and knowledgeable about the wildlife, plants and the game reserve in general. Each drive is accompanied by 1 guide and 1 driver, with a 2-way radio
  
• Take a walking safari - the Nyerere is one of the only places in the world you can do this: experience the thrill of tracking animals alongside an armed ranger, and have local plants pointed out to you and their uses explained
  
• Take to the Rufiji for a river safari at sunset. Utterly thrilling, you'll chug alongside hippos and crocs, and watch other animals drinking at the water's edge
  
• Get out your binoculars: there are over 440 species of bird in the park: yellow-billed storks, Goliath herons, eagles, kites, pelicans, egrets and ibises are amongst them
  
• Swim in the camp pool; towels are provided
  
• Try sport fishing: go out in a boat and cast a line for catfish or tiger fish
  
• Visit the thermal hot springs or the mighty Stiegler Canyon, where the Rufiji meets the Ruaha River

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Birdwatching
• Boat trips
• Fishing
• Hiking
• Plantlife / flora
• Safaris
• Swimming
• Wildlife

Kids

Game drives can be tailored to suit and you can also set up fly camping trips en famille for an ultra personalised experience. Bear in mind that when taking kids on safari, it's best if they're over 8 (younger ones can't sit still for long enough or stay quiet) and it's a good idea to bring games and DVDs with you. There is no babysitting option here.

The owners recommend splitting a family safari by doing maybe 3 nights on safari, then a break in the Highlands or somewhere where the kids can run around and do activities, then another 3 nights on safari and then back to the beach. In their experience, it has worked well.

Best for:

Children (4-12 years), Teens (over 12)

Family friendly accommodation:

Family Tents are 2 interconnecting tents, on a private platform, with your own plunge pool. Each sleeps 4-6

Extra Beds Available, Family Rooms

Distances:

• Airport: 10 minutes (airstrip); 40 minutes (Dar); 50 minutes (Zanzibar)

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

Rufiji is set on a high bank of the Rufiji River, in the northeastern part of the Selous Game Reserve in southern Tanzania. It's 250km from Dar es Salaam.

Getting There
Because of the complexity of getting there, Rufiji River Camp can only be booked as part of a safari package. We suggest you try our recommended Tailormade Safari Operator, one of whose itineraries includes a stay at Rufiji. Unlike some of the more remote camps, you don't need to charter a whole plane to get here but can book individual seats as part of your package, thanks to Foxes 'Safari AirLink' initiative.

Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.com.

More on getting to Tanzania and getting around